The Michael Misa-Matthew Schaefer first overall pick argument that dominated fantasy circles prior to the 2026 NHL Entry Draft has been solved (at least for now) with Schaefer’s historic debut in the NHL. Twenty goals as an eighteen-year-old rookie defenseman – only three times in NHL history has a rookie blueliner hit that mark: Brian Leetch, Barry Beck, and Dion Phaneuf. He broke Denis Potvin’s Islanders record for goals by a rookie defenseman and is the overwhelming Calder Trophy favorite. What separates him from the conversation around other elite offensive prospects at his position is that he plays both ends. He’s one of the best defensive prospects in this draft class – not just offensively gifted, but someone who makes plays and competes on both sides of the puck. That balance is what puts him in a different category. For fantasy managers, the profile is as close to perfect as it gets at the position – goals, assists, shots, power play, blocks. He’s immediately a top-five defender in any format for the foreseeable future.

Schaefer is a mobile, two-way defenseman with franchise cornerstone upside. He skates exceptionally well, blending effortless stride mechanics with strong edge work and transitional speed. Schaefer excels in breaking pucks out with control, using his vision and poise to evade pressure and start the attack. Defensively, he’s already proficient at closing gaps and using an active stick, and he plays with an edge without being undisciplined.

Offensively, he showed flashes of creativity and quarterbacking instincts on the power play, with a heavy shot and great passing. While he may not be a lock to start on opening night, he’s expected to seriously compete for a roster spot in training camp and could earn meaningful minutes sooner than later. Long-term, Schaefer projects as a top-pairing, all-situations defender with leadership qualities. This pick not only reshapes the Islanders’ blue line, it gives them a future pillar to build around.

The Islanders organization was extremely fortunate in winning the draft lottery in 2025, being able to pick a franchise cornerstone in Matthew Schaefer. A little over a month after the NHL draft, the Islanders signed Schaefer for his first NHL contract and will now shift focus to seeing him in training camp, pushing for a top-four role with the NHL club in 2025-26. Having traded Noah Dobson to Montreal for Emil Heineman and what eventually became Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson, the Islanders quickly became an exciting team to watch as they develop these young players. Schaefer should have an easy path to the first power play unit as early as 2025-26 and could push for the Calder Trophy if he plays the entire season in the NHL.

After much digital ink was spilled online, the Islanders selected Matthew Schaefer first overall in the 2025 draft.